Art world figure Jerry Gogosian announces plans to scale back his influential Instagram account, citing a loss of interest in the platform.
In the dynamic world of contemporary art, one Instagram account has been making waves with its insightful commentary and biting wit - Jerry Gogosian. The account, far from being a conventional art dealer, is the brainchild of Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, a renowned figure who has used the persona to opine on various matters related to the art market.
Jerry Gogosian was born in 2018, after Helphenstein had spent a year confined to bed due to a disease. Before this digital alter ego, Helphenstein had run her own gallery in Los Angeles. The account initially operated anonymously, but in 2020, Helphenstein revealed herself as its creator.
Through Jerry Gogosian, Helphenstein has shared her experiences at art fairs across the globe, offering a unique and often humorous perspective on the art world. She has used the platform to mock notable figures such as Larry Gagosian, among others. One of her more controversial posts involved mocking the name of a Sotheby's auctioneer in 2023, leading to accusations of xenophobia. Helphenstein later apologised, stating that the joke was made "in poor taste."
One of Jerry Gogosian's most significant impacts came in 2020, when Helphenstein used the account to urge the dismissal of Sam Orlofsky, a director at Gagosian gallery, following sexual harassment allegations. Orlofsky was subsequently dropped from the gallery.
As of the article's publication, Jerry Gogosian boasts 151,000 followers. Helphenstein has also ventured into other projects, including curating a Sotheby's sale in 2022 and signing with the talent agency UTA in 2024. However, contrary to recent speculation, Jerry Gogosian is not being shut down. Instead, the account remains active, offering its unique commentary on the art world through platforms like the "Art Smack" podcast.
Despite the occasional controversy, Jerry Gogosian continues to be a significant voice in the art world, providing a fresh and often humorous take on the industry. Whether Helphenstein will continue to use the persona in the future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - Jerry Gogosian has left an indelible mark on the art world.
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- Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, the creator of the popular Instagram account Jerry Gogosian, has expanded her influence in the art world, curating a Sotheby's sale in 2022 and signing with the talent agency UTA in 2024.
- Jerry Gogosian's unique commentary and biting wit have earned it a large following of 151,000, a platform that was previously used to demand the dismissal of Sam Orlofsky, a director at Gagosian gallery, following sexual harassment allegations.
- Despite the occasional controversy, Jerry Gogosian is a significant voice in the art world, offering a fresh and often humorous take on the industry, as evident in its regular appearances on the Art Smack podcast.
- The account, initially operating anonymously, has criticized numerous figures in the art world, including renowned art dealer Larry Gagosian, and made headlines in 2023 for a controversial post mocking a Sotheby's auctioneer.
- Jerry Gogosian has shared its experiences at art fairs across the globe, sometimes mocking pop-culture trends and celebrities, as seen in various posts like [1] [2] [3] [4] [5], indicative of its influence reaching beyond the art market and into entertainment and social-mediaoriented discussions.
- In 2020, Helphenstein revealed herself as the person behind Jerry Gogosian, a digital persona she created after spending a year bedridden due to a disease, a period during which she also ran a gallery in Los Angeles.
